What Kind of Soil Do Nuts Require?

To harvest almonds at home, wait until they fall to the ground.

The kind of soil nut trees require depends on each type of nut tree. For optimal growth and yield, you must plant a nut tree in a site with the proper type of soil and the appropriate soil moisture and pH. You must also tailor fertilizer and irrigation to the kind of tree you choose. A healthy tree typically provides an abundance of nuts. The nuts are encased in a husk that you need to remove promptly after harvesting to dry the nuts properly for storage.

Almond Trees

Almond trees (Prunus amygdalus), also known as sweet almond, grow best in places with warm summers in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 7 through 9. These deciduous trees have a low canopy, enjoy full sun and tolerate highly acidic to highly alkaline soil. Almond trees thrive in deep, loamy soil that absorbs water quickly, but has good drainage -- this tree doesn’t tolerate moist soil. When grown in sandy or shallow soil, almond trees require more frequent irrigation.

Pecan Trees

Pecan trees (Carya illinoensis) only produce fruit in places without long, hot summers, but grow well in other climates. So even if you don’t have long, hot summers, you can take advantage of the pecan's attractive pinnately compound leaves that offer moderate shade and its ability to grow in riparian areas, without suffering from the litter issue its fruit causes. Pecan trees need full sun to partial shade and ample amounts water, or the shuck splits before the fruit is ready. They thrive in wet to moist, loamy or sandy soil with a pH of 6.0 to 6.5 for optimal growth. This deciduous tree, however, tolerates highly acidic to slightly alkaline soil and grows in USDA hardiness zones 5 through 9.

Northern California Black Walnut Tree

The Northern California black walnut tree (Juglans hindsii), also known as California black walnut or Northern California walnut, tolerates drought, but gives off an unpleasant smell. It grows in USDA hardiness zones 7 through 9. These deciduous trees need well-drained soil cultivated at least 5 feet deep, or they won’t thrive. They prefer a site with full sun to partial shade featuring loamy or sandy soil with a highly acidic to slightly alkaline pH. Transplanted trees or saplings take root best when the soil temperature is 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

Pistachio Trees

Pistachio trees (Pistacia vera) have strong, deep root systems and are sensitive to salty soils. You can grow these deciduous nut trees in all kinds of clay, loamy or sandy soils with a slightly alkaline pH in a site featuring full sun. However, pistachio trees grow best in highly alkaline soil with sandy loam, with a pH of 7 to 8. The ideal soil is fertilized with nitrogen each year, along with phosphate and potassium fertilizer every two to three years.

About the Author

Victoria Weinblatt began writing articles in 2007, contributing to The Huffington Post and other websites. She is a certified yoga instructor, group fitness instructor and massage therapist. Weinblatt received her B.S. in natural resources from Michigan State University and an M.Ed. from Shenandoah University.